I like routine. When we first get up in the mornings, Mom puts on her walking shoes, grabs three plastic bags, pokes her watch, loops on my leash, and off we go into the big wide world. It’s the same thing every morning. When we get back, Dad feeds me breakfast. Sometimes when Mom leaves early, I look at Dad with my pleading puppy-dog eyes, and he takes me for my walk. My dinner meal is always at the same time, and after Mom and Dad eat their dinner, I get a kibble bonus in my dish. Life is good.
I have heard that two-legged creatures like their routines too. They call them traditions. When the air gets cooler and the sun comes up later, Mom digs around in the garage for silly things to set on the porch, like orange flowers and pumpkins. Then she makes me sit in front of them to take my picture. You’d think she could use the picture she took last year, but noooo. Then what’s weird is a few weeks later she replaces the orange and yellow thing hanging on the front door with a red and green thing. I guess she just can’t make up her mind. We’ve had the same door thingies as long as I can remember, so I guess they are traditions.
Another tradition I like is when my two-legged sister and brother come over to spend the night. Cousin Ramona comes too, and even though we fight over the toys, she’s fun to play with. I know they’ll be coming soon because Mom puts up a tree that I can’t mark, with balls I can’t fetch. The smells in the kitchen are all familiar, so they must be traditions too. Then in the morning they start a fire in the fireplace and open the doors. I think it has to do with living in the desert. The socks that had been hanging over the fireplace suddenly have presents in them. This is a fun tradition because I get to rip up the paper they throw on the floor. And lo and behold, there are more presents under the twinkling tree and more paper to attack and rip up.
I love traditions. What are some of your favorite traditions?
Love,
Larry
PS: My 2026 desk calendar is ready, and I unapologetically think it’s the best one ever. They make great gifts and can be purchased on Mom’s website.
PSS: If you buy my book “Larry’s Words of Wisdom” you get a calendar FREE!